OVCINA LEADS SYCAMORE OVER THE TOP

Opening-round action at the DeKalb Holiday Tournament featured few surprises. Here's one of the non-shockers: Elvir Ovcina had a huge game.

The 7-foot senior, who has committed to Syracuse, collected 26 points, 13 rebounds and five assists to lead No. 20 Sycamore past Bolingbrook 72-50. Gary Mitchell (18 points) and Seth Kruizenga (11) also hit double figures for the Spartans (8-0), who led only 13-11 after one quarter.

"It took us about a quarter to get to know what Bolingbrook was trying to do," said Sycamore coach Tim Carlson. "Our key is offensive patience, and we got the ball to Ovcina and were able to get some good shots in the half-court game."

Thornton 70, Eisenhower 39: Trailing by one, No. 8 Thornton (7-1, 3-0) ended the first half of this SICA East contest with a 10-2 run and led the rest of the way. James Johnson's 16 points paced four players in double figures; the others were Melvin Ely (13), Tai Streets and Chauncey Jones had 11 apiece.

"Eisenhower is a good team," said Thornton coach Rocky Hill. "To come over here and win by this margin is very encouraging to me."